Abstract

Author(s): Covarrubias Gutiérrez, P.1; Aburto Galván, M.1; Sámano Orozco, L. F.2

Introduction: Overweight, obesity and its associated complications are a major public health problem globally that has risen in most ages, regions and socio economic groups; thus there are a variety of proposal dietotherapeutical among which are ketogenic diets; term coined in the 20s of last century. Beneficial and adverse effects of this diet have generated controversy and no clear conclusion about its effectiveness and efficiency in the treatment of obesity.

Methods: Were searched articles about ketogenic diets in the databases SciELO and PubMed, using key words, ketogenic diet, weight loss, obesity and overweight, from which were obtained a total of 68 articles, same that were depurated in two stages for its analysis.

Results: Weight loss is similar with both diets in the articles analyzed, being slightly greater with ketogenic diets.

Conclusion: Ketogenic and conventional diets are similarly effective in weight loss, however, the former often show side effects besides some limitations exist for use against part of conventional diets. There is evidence that adherence to the meal plan has a greater influence on the efficacy that the distribution of macronutrients, in this way, efforts to improve treatments for obesity should focus on increasing adherence.